Sylvain Charlebois

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is Senior Director of the Agri-Foods Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University in Halifax. Also at Dalhousie, he is Professor in food distribution and policy in the Faculty of Agriculture. His current research interest lies in the broad area of food distribution, security and safety, and has published four books and many peer-reviewed journal articles in several publications. His research has been featured in a number of newspapers, including The Economist, the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the Wall Street Journal, Foreign Affairs, the Globe & Mail, the National Post and the Toronto Star.

Taxing Convenience Foods Punishes the Wrong Canadians

Quebec’s food tax changes are reigniting debate over whether taxing convenience foods unfairly burdens seniors, single households, and working Canadians.

Why Food Brands Are Quietly Reversing Skimpflation

Food brands are reformulating products as consumers push back against years of ingredient cuts and declining food quality.

Food Inflation Cools, But Canada’s Grocery Pain Is Far From Over

Canada’s food inflation slowed in April, but grocery affordability pressures continue as structural costs and global risks weigh on consumers.

Recycling Rules Are Quietly Driving Food Inflation in Canada

New recycling policies are adding hidden costs to Canada’s food system, contributing to higher grocery prices and reduced product choice.

Dunkin’ Return to Canada Signals New Coffee War

Dunkin’ is returning to Canada under Foodtastic, reigniting competition in a coffee market long dominated by Tim Hortons and increasingly shaped by shifting consumer habits.

Affordability Is Changing How Canadians Eat Protein

Rising food costs and shifting consumer priorities are driving more Canadians toward flexible eating habits and changing protein consumption patterns.

GLP-1 Drugs Trigger Multi-Billion Dollar Demand Shock in Food Sector

GLP-1 drugs are shifting Canadians from volume to value in food consumption, with major implications for retailers and restaurants.

Grocery Prices Stabilize, but Affordability Remains a Challenge in Canada

Grocery prices are stabilizing in Canada, but affordability challenges persist as many households continue to struggle with rising food costs.

Meat and Produce Prices Rise Together in Canada

Meat and produce prices are rising together in Canada, signaling ongoing food system pressure and persistent grocery inflation.

Faulty Meat Scales Cost Canadians Millions

Faulty meat scales may be costing Canadians millions annually, raising concerns about grocery pricing accuracy and regulatory oversight.

Canada’s Shrinking Middle Class Is Fueling Food Inflation

As Canada’s middle class erodes, the country’s food economy is splitting, driving persistent inflation and weakening innovation.

How Strait of Hormuz Tensions Are Set to Raise Grocery Prices in Canada

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are expected to drive grocery inflation in Canada as rising oil and fertilizer costs impact food supply chains.

Why Imports Won’t Fix Canada’s Beef Price Problem

Canada’s beef prices remain elevated as domestic supply constraints persist, with imports offering limited relief, explains Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.

Why a Ceasefire Won’t Lower Grocery Prices in Canada

Oil volatility, not falling prices, is driving sustained food inflation across Canada, says Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.

Food Fraud Is Becoming a Business Model in Canada

Food fraud in Canada is rising as economic pressures grow, exposing gaps in oversight and raising serious questions about trust in the food system, says Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.

Government Grocery Stores Won’t Fix Food Affordability in Canada

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois explains why government grocery stores won’t work in Canada and what can actually improve food affordability.

Food Prices Reshape Easter Dinner in Canada in 2026

Rising food prices in Canada are shifting Easter dinner choices in 2026, as consumers trade tradition for affordability.

Fast Food Is No Longer the Cheap Option in Canada

Fast food is losing its value edge in Canada as prices rise and consumers shift spending to grocery and more selective dining choices.

Food Taxes in Canada Are More Problematic Than They Appear

Sylvain Charlebois discusses how food taxes in Canada quietly impact affordability, and why Manitoba’s PST decision could signal broader policy change.

Rising Grocery Prices in Canada Are Changing Consumer Behaviour

Rising grocery costs are forcing Canadians to change how they shop, revealing deeper structural challenges in food affordability.

Canada Still Leads G7 as Grocery Inflation Outpaces Wages

Canada still leads the G7 in grocery inflation at 5.4%, with food prices rising faster than wages despite a recent slowdown.

Rising Carbon Pricing in Canada Strains Grocery Supply Chains

Opinion: Rising carbon pricing in Canada may increase transportation and logistics costs across grocery supply chains and food distribution networks.

Grocery Shoppers Embrace Pajama Wear Amid Economic Shift

Quick grocery trips and convenience-driven shopping habits are reshaping how consumers interact with food retailers.

Oil Prices Could Push Canadian Grocery Inflation Higher

Rising oil prices could push Canadian grocery inflation toward 6–8% in 2026 as energy costs ripple through the food supply chain.

Iran Tensions Could Push Canadian Grocery Prices Higher

Rising tensions with Iran and risks to the Strait of Hormuz could push energy costs higher, adding pressure to Canadian grocery prices.

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